§ SIR GRAHAM MONTGOMERYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware of the frequent passage of locomotives through several of the thoroughfares of the metropolis, more especially in Grosvenor Place and Eaton Square; and if he considers it consistent with the safety of the public to permit of their so passing through the streets both day and night?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, his attention was called a few days ago to the fact of a locomotive passing through a crowded part of the metropolis—not the streets mentioned by the hon. Baronet, but in the neighbourhood of Charing Cross, and of horses taking fright in consequence. A communication was immediately made by the Police to the owner of that locomotive, which turned out to be one of Bray's traction engines engaged, in carrying goods from the Docks to the Exhibition, and the proprietors at once agreed to observe the regulations of the Police, requiring them not to drive the locomotive through the streets in the daytime, and to take a less frequented route. Since the hon. Baronet had given notice of his question, he had found, on inquiry, that another locomotive had been seen passing through Grosvenor 857 Place and Eaton Square, but the owner of it had not yet been discovered. He believed it was on its way from a railway station to the Exhibition. By au Act passed last Session, power was given to the Secretary of State to make regulations for the passage of engines through the metropolis, and there would appear in the Gazette of that night an order prohibiting them from being driven through the streets in the daytime.
§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, he wished to inquire whether the right hon. Baronet was aware of the fact that one of Bray's traction engines had passed up Eaton Square at eight o'clock that morning, making a great noise, and frightening horses?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he had not heard of the circumstance, but the order in the Gazette would prohibit locomotives from passing through the streets at any time, except between ten o'clock at night and six o'clock in the morning. He had the power to make such a regulation, and if the owners of engines did not comply with it, they would not be allowed to use the streets at all.